Railway wheel assembly



Oct. 9, 1934. G. A. UNGAR RAILWAY WHEEL ASSEMBLY Filed May l5, 1953 INVENTOR wheel.

Patented Oct. 9, 1934 RAILWAY WHEEL ASSEMBLY Gustave A. to

Ungar, Pelham Manor, N. Y., assignor E. K. Howe, New York, N. Y.

Application May 13, 1933, Serial No. 670,902

20 Claims.

This invention relates to railway wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to wheels and axle mounts of rail vehicles which allow limited resilient'vertical play between rail wheels and load supporting wheels adapted to run therein.

A general object is the provision of such a device including a rail wheel having a periphery adapted to run on a rail and an inner surface adapted to form the running surface of a resiliently tired load supporting wheel, which is efficient, simple in construction, eliminates the necessity for auxiliary axles and frames, and assures excellent mileage.

A more specific object vof the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the resiliently tired supporting wheel and the rail wheel receiving the supporting wheel which is adapted to run therein are supported on a common axle, the rail contacting portion of the rail wheel being connected thereto by articulated means to allow relative limited vertical movement therebetween.

.Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein bearings between the rail wheel hub and the rotating axl`travel at the differential speed between the R. P. M. speed of the rail and the R. P. M. speed of the supporting An additional object of the present invention is the provision in such a device of resilient means between the rail wheel hub and a stop on the common axle and between the rail wheel hub and the supporting wheel to resist and limit the axial movement of the rail wheel.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein axial movement of the rail wheels is limited by means of tie members between the hubs of the rail wheels and the adjacent ends of a through spindle cooperating with resilient members held under compression between the supporting wheels and the adjacent ends of the through spindle.

A still further object of the invention is the provision in such a device of a spring wheel structure serving as the rail wheel, preferably provided between the tire and the hub thereof with a flexible annulus having one edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its perlpnery to the hub and the other edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to the portion of the rail wheel which is rigid with the rail wheel tire.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements,

and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplied in the construction hereinafterset forth and the scope of the invention of cated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding which will be indiof the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical axial sectional view with parts broken away of one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to that depicted in Fig. 1, of a modified form of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View, with parts in the direction of the arrows broken away, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking Referring to the drawing, like numerals refer to like parts throughout. In

Fig. 1 a rail wheel 10 is shown provided with a rim 11 of the usual outline adapted to engage a rail 12, and an inner running surface 13. A load supporting wheel 14 has the periphery thereof provided in the usual manner with a resilient tire 1 5, preferably of the adapted to rotate therewith.

A bearing structure 19 is interposed between the sleeve 18 and a rail wheel hub 20. The rail wheel 10 is connected to the rail wheel hub 20 by articulated means, preferably a flexible annulus 21. As depicted in Fig. 1, this flexible annulus may consist of a rubber ring reenforced by plies of fabric having one edge thereof clamped between an annular flange 22 on the hub 20 and a ring 23. The other edge of the annulus 21 is clamped between an annular flange 24 on the rail wheel 10 and a ring 25. A brake drum type, may be mounted upon 26, of conventional the rail wheel, if

desired, so that braking action may be applied thereto.

An annular flange 27 on is provided with a resilient an the rail wheel 10 nulus 28 preferably of rubber adapted to cooperate with a ring 29 of smaller diameter which is supported by a bearing structure 30 on the sleeve 18. The annulus 28 serves as a buffer relative vertical movement element to limit the between the rail wheel 10 and the supporting wheel 14 and additionally to cooperate with the ring 29 as an auxiliary support should the pneumatic tire 15 become deflated.

A spring support 31 having a suitable seat for a spring 32 adapted to be secured to the vehiclebody in any conventional manner is supportedY upon the axle 17by a bearing structure 33.

A through spindle 34 is mounted within the hollow axle 17 and on each end is provided an anchor plate 35Vin the flange of which is formed at least one hole 36 adapted to receive a headed bolt 37 which extends through a hole 38 in the hub 16 and is threaded into a portion of the sleeve Y*18 as depicted in Fig. l. Between the llange of the anchor plate 35 and the supporting wheel hub 16 is disposed a resilient member 39, preferablya rubber block, held under compression. This structure insures rotation of the sleeve 18 with the axle 17 and additionally limits the axial movement of the rail wheels 10.

In Fig. 2 is depicted a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 1 wherein the load supporting hub 16 of the load supporting wheel 14 is xedly mounted on a driving axle 17 A rail wheel hub support n18', preferably in the form of a sleeve, is non-rotatably mounted on the axle 17' for limited axial-movement thereof and prei*- erably keyed thereto by a key 40. A ange 24 on the rail wheel Yhas mounted thereon at circumferentially spaced apart points a plurality of ball-headed anchors 41 which extend radially inwardly. A rail Ywheel hub 20 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 18 by means of a bearing structure 19 and has secured thereto at circumferentially spaced apart points a plurality of ball-headed anchor members 42 extending radially outwardly as is more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The ball-headed anchor members 41 and the ball-headed anchor members 42 are connected 1f together by means of links 43 ihaving sockets therein to receive the ends of the ball-headed anchor members ase-shown. The links 43 are preferably mounted through holes in a resilient ring 44 preferably of rubber. This structure forms articulated connecting Ymeans between-the rail wheel 10 and the rail wheel hub 20', in the form of a flexible annulus having one edge thereof connected at a plurality of points to the rail wheel hub 20 and the other edge thereof connected at a plurality of points to the rail wheel 10.

A flange 27 on the Yrail wheel 10 is provided with a resilient annulus 28 preferably of rubber adapted to cooperate with a ring 29' rotatably mounted upon the sleeve 18' by a bearing structure 30. This structure is adapted to limit the relative vertical movement of the rail Wheel 10 to serve as an auxiliary running support for the rail wheel 10 should the pneumatic tire 15 become deflated.

Between the hub 16 of the load supporting wheel 14 and the outer end of the sleeve 18' is mounted a resilient buffer element 45 preferably of rubberand held under compression to limit and resist outward axial movement of the rail wheel 10. Between the spring support 31 and the inner end of the sleeve 18' is mounted an additional resilient buffer element 46 preferably of rubber held under compression to limit and resist the inward axial movement of the rail wheel 10.

By means of the structure shown a wheel assembly is provided wherein only one axle is essential, this axle having mounted thereon a load supporting wheel which runs within the rail wheel connected to a common axle by articulated means allowing relative vertical movement between the wheels. This vertical movement is readily limited in a variety of ways by structure disposed between a portion of the rail wheel 10 which is rigidly connected with the rail engaging portion thereof and the axle or structure mounted thereon. Limited axial movement of the rail wheel is also provided to compensate for lateral forces imposed upon the rail wheel under running conditions. Although the articulated means connecting the rail wheel 10 to the rail wheel 20 shown are preferred, it is obvious that any other suitable flexible connection allowing radial movement of the rail wheel may be used such as, for example, any well known type of spring wheel structure. In such structures rubber can beV readily employed to prevent direct connection between Vthe axle and the rail wheels. With the use of the structures shown there is no necessity of the use of auxiliary axles and frames for the rail wheels.

The present structure allows the bearings supporting the rail wheel hub 20 to travel at a very low speed, that is Ythe differential speed between the R. P. M. speed of the rail wheel hub and the Rf. P. M. speed of the sleeve 18 which rotates with the driving axle 17. This obviously r'educes the wear thereon and provides an efficient structure which insures excellent mileage.

It will Ythus be seen that the objects set forth i above are eiciently attained by the present invention.

Sincecertain changes may be made i'n the above construction and different embodiments of Vthe invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof., it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be in'- terpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also tofbe understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specic features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a'matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Y

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, 'a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel receiving said supporting wheel adapted to run therein, and articulated means connecting saidhub to said rail wheel.

2. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently'tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of a larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a flexible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween.

3. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve nonrotatably mounted on said axle, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting Wheel which is received therein, and articulated means connecting said hub to said rail wheel.

4. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve nonrotatably mounted on said axle, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a iiexible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative Vertical movement therebetween.

5. A railway Wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve secured to said axle to rotate therewith and have limited axial movement thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and articulated means connecting said hub to said rail wheel.

6, A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel fixedly mounted thereon, a sleeve nonrotatably mounted on said axle to rotate therewith and have limited axial movement thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a exible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween.

"1. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently ing wheel xedly mounted thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel` which is received therein, a exible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween and buffer means between a portion of said rail wheel and said axle to limit the relative vertical movement therebetween.

8. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, a flexible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween, a ring rotatably mounted about said axle, and an annulus mounted on said rail wheel adapted to cooperate with said ring to limit the relative vertical movement between said hub and said rail wheel.

9. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel fixedly mounted thereon, a spring wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, said spring wheel having a rail engaging tire and an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer surface of said supporting wheel which is received therein.

10. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel fixedly mounted thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a exible annulus'forming a connection between tired supportsaid hub and said ral wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween.

11. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel fixedly mounted'thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a flexible annulus having one redge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said hub, and the other edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said rail wheel,

12. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve mounted on said axle and adapted to rotate therewith, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a flexible annulus having one edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said hub, and the other edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said rail wheel.

13. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve secured to said axle to rotate therewith and have limited axial movement thereon, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a exible annulus having one edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said hub and the other edge thereof connected at least at a plurality of points around its periphery to said rail wheel. l

14. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel fixedly mounted thereon, a hub assembly mounted on said axle, parts of which are rotatable relative to said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, articulated means connecting parts of said hub assembly to said rail wheel, a stop mounted inwardly from said hub assembly, and resilient means between said hub assembly and said sup porting wheel and between said stop and said hub assembly to resist axial movement of said hub assembly.

15. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a hub assembly mounted on said axle, parts of which are rotatable relative to said axle, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, a exible connection between parts of said hub assembly and said rail wheel to allow relative Vertical movement therebetween, a stop mounted inwardly from said hub assembly, and resilient means between said hub assembly and said supporting wheel and between said stop and said hub assembly to resist axial movement of said hub assembly.

16. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted thereon, a sleeve secured to said axle to rotate therewith and have axial movement thereon, a stop mounted inwardly from said sleeve, resilient means mounted between said sleeve and said supporting wheel to resist outward axial movement of said sleeve, resilient means mounted between said stop and said sleeve to resist inward axial movement of said sleeve, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, and a flexible connec,

tion between said hub and said rail wheel to a1- low relative vertical movement therebetween.

17. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination an axle, a resiliently tired supporting wheel xedly mounted'thereon, a sleeve secured to said axle to rotate therewith and have axial movement thereon, a body support mounted on said axle, resilient means between said sleeve and said supporting wheel to resist outward axial movement of said sleeve, resilient means between said body support and said sleeve to resist inward axial movement of said sleeve, a hub rotatably mounted on said sleeve, a rail wheel having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheel which is received therein, andA a flexible connection between said hub and said rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween.

18. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination a hollow axle, a pair of resiliently tired supporting wheels xedly mounted on opposite ends of said axle, a pair of hubs rotatably mounted on said axle, a pair of rail wheels each having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheels, one of which is received therein, articulated means connecting each of said hubs to the cooperating rail wheel, a spindle through said hollow axle, an anchoring member mounted on each end of said spindle beyond the adjacent end of said hollow axle, a tie member between each of said anchoring members and the hub mounted on the same end of said axle to limit the inward movement of said hubs, and resilient means between each of said anchoring members and the adjacent supporting wheels.

19. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination a hollow axle, a.pair of resiliently tired supporting wheels xedly mounted on opposite ends of said axle, a pair of hubs rotatably mounted on said axle, a pair of rail wheels each having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheels, one of which is received therein, a flexible connection between each of said hubs and the cooperating rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween, a spindle through said hollow axle, an anchoring member mounted on each end of said spindle beyond the adjacent end of said hollow axle, a tie member between said anchoring members and the hub mounted on the same end of said axle to limit the inward movement of said hubs, and resilient means between said anchoring members and the adjacent supporting. wheels.

20. A railway wheel assembly comprising in combination a hollow axle, a pair of resiliently tired supporting wheels xedly mounted on opposite ends of said axle, a pair of sleeves mounted on said axle adapted to rotate therewith and have axial movement thereon, a pair of hubs rotatably mounted on said sleeves, a pair of rail wheels each having an inner supporting wheel running surface of larger diameter than the outer diameter of said supporting wheels one of which is received therein, a flexible connection between 4cach of said hubs and the cooperating rail wheel to allow relative vertical movement therebetween, a spindle through said hollow axle extending at both ends beyond the ends of the hollow axle, an anchoring member mounted on each end of said spindle, a tie member connected between each of said anchoring members and the sleeve mounted on the same end of said axle to limit the inward movement of said sleeves, and resilient means between said anchoring members and the adjacent supporting wheels.

GUSTAVE A. UNGAR. 

